COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater City Police say a watchful citizen helped authorities take down an alleged gas station credit card skimming operation based in Miami, Florida that appeared well on its way to setting up a ring of skimmers in southern lower Michigan and northeast Indiana. The arrest of two suspects was launched after an observant customer at West Side Shell alerted the station manager to what she had witnessed early Friday evening. Police learned later that one of the skimmers had also been installed at the Marshall Street Shell on Coldwater’s northside.
The small devices placed in the gas pumps can steal credit card information off the magnetic strip when a card is inserted in the machine. Authorities don’t believe anyone had been victimized by the devices because of the quick action at the Shell station, where they obtained the license plate of the suspects before they drove off shortly after 6 p.m. Friday.
Investigators with search warrants were able to obtain the cellphone number of the two men and use it to track their route which took them to Fremont, Indiana and points south. The pair were eventually located at a motel in Huntington County, Indiana and taken into custody by the FBI.
Here are some tips to protect yourself against skimmers. Go inside the store to process transactions. Select “credit” at the gas pumps to protect your PIN pumber. Frequently monitor your bank statements and report and unauthorized charges to your bank and police department. Some thieves take out small amounts to avoid detection. Use ATM’s that are located in high traffic areas or indoors, ideally inside your bank. Get into the habit of using the same ATM so you can recognize changes to the machine. And inspect the ATM or gas pump for any signs of damage in the area where you insert your card.
